China Sees No Need to Apologize for Live-Fire Naval Drills Near Australia, Says Ambassador
Xiao Qian Defends China’s Military Exercises, Asserts No Threat Was Posed to Australia Amid Confusion Over Advance Notice
China has no reason to apologize for its recent live-fire naval drills near Australia’s coast, its ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, has stated. The drills, conducted last Friday and Saturday in the Tasman Sea, were a routine military practice and posed “no threat” to Australia, he told the ABC.
Xiao defended China’s handling of the notifications, saying they followed international protocol, despite Australian authorities learning about the drills only after they began—first through a Virgin Australia pilot who overheard warnings from the Chinese naval vessels.
“There should be no over-reading into this,” Xiao said, emphasizing that China and Australia remain “comprehensive strategic partners.” A readout of his interview, published on the Chinese embassy’s website, reiterated China’s stance:
“The term ‘partner’ indicates that the two countries are friends, not foes or rivals. China has always regarded Australia as an important partner, and there is no need for Australia to feel concerned about the actions of the Chinese fleet.”
Australia Only Notified Mid-Flight
Australian defense officials told a Senate estimates hearing that the first official alert about the drills came from a civilian Virgin Australia pilot who overheard a warning from the Chinese naval fleet. The warning, broadcast by the ships themselves, was then relayed back to Australian authorities before a New Zealand navy vessel, shadowing the Chinese flotilla, also confirmed the exercises.
Following the notification, commercial flights were rerouted mid-air to avoid the drill zone. Reports also show that air traffic controllers had to issue last-minute hazard alerts to pilots on Friday morning. Among the affected flights were a Singapore Airlines flight from Christchurch to Singapore and an Air New Zealand flight from Auckland to Melbourne, according to text communications between pilots and ground control.
At midday on Friday, Air New Zealand pilots reported:
“Hi, lots of chatter on 121.5 including Chinese navy. Same pos and ht/radius as you advised. Cheers.”
Later, an airline dispatcher warned Air New Zealand pilots of an “unannounced live firing” event in the Tasman Sea. A similar message was relayed to two American Airlines flights approaching Sydney and Brisbane, where pilots were informed that there was no Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) in effect for the drills—despite NOTAMs typically being issued at least 24 hours in advance.
Albanese Criticizes Lack of Advance Warning
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged that China’s exercises were conducted within international law but argued that more notice should have been given.
“We believe it was appropriate to have been given more notice, and we made that clear last Friday,” he told reporters.
The Chinese flotilla—comprising the Jiangkai-class frigate Hengyang, Renhai-class cruiser Zunyi, and Fuchi-class replenishment vessel Weishanhu—had sailed from northern Australia down its east coast, reportedly passing as close as 150 nautical miles from Sydney before carrying out the live-fire drills. The vessels have since moved farther south and west, entering the Great Australian Bight.
Australian forces have been actively monitoring the fleet, with the Anzac-class frigate HMAS Stuart shadowing the Chinese ships, and New Zealand’s HMNZS Te Kaha maintaining surveillance in the region.
China Dismisses Apology Request, Cites Legal Compliance
Despite Australia’s protest, Ambassador Xiao rejected claims that the notification was inadequate.
“Different countries have different practices,” he said. “Based on the nature, size, and scope of the drill, my view is that the Chinese naval notification was appropriate.”
He also noted that international law does not specify the exact timing or manner in which advance notice of military exercises should be given, reinforcing that China acted within legal bounds.
“I don’t see any reason why the Chinese side should feel sorry about that, or even think about apologizing,” he added.
Defense Minister Urges Calm Amid Tensions
Australia’s Defense Minister, Richard Marles, has urged for a measured response, pointing out that Australia frequently sends its own naval vessels near China’s shores, including through the contested South China Sea.
“There is actually a greater frequency of Australian naval vessels closer to China than there are Chinese vessels close to Australia,” Marles said, emphasizing that international military operations are routine.
Unrelated to South China Sea Fighter Jet Incident, China Says
Xiao also dismissed any connection between the naval drills and a recent confrontation between Chinese and Australian military aircraft over the South China Sea.
Earlier this month, a Chinese J-16 fighter jet released flares near an Australian P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft, which was on a routine surveillance mission. Australia labeled the maneuver “unsafe and unprofessional.”
However, Xiao defended China’s actions, claiming that Australia’s aircraft had “intruded into China’s airspace”, violating international law and threatening China’s national security.
In contrast, he said, China’s naval exercise took place in international waters far from Australia’s coastline and was fully compliant with global regulations.
Despite ongoing tensions, China insists it remains committed to its “comprehensive strategic partnership” with Australia.
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